Top 3 Fun Spring Activities to Do in Nanjing: Spring Outings

Spring is the best season for hiking and outing in Nanjing. Can’t wait to spend more fun time outside? Here we list some must-see destinations in Nanjing in spring days. Check it out!

  • The Shui Mo Da Nian Park: A perfect choice for poetic beauty seekers
  • Foshou Lake Park: An outskirt destination to pep you up
  • Jinniu Lake Scenic Area: An idyllic adventure to embark on
  • Huanglonghxian Tea Culture Village: A wonderful journey to the original tea village
  • Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area: The best place pleasing to the eye and ear
  • Xianlin Lake Park: A must-visit attraction for picnicking and fishing by the lake
  • Zhongshan Sports Park: The playground for camping, kite flying and football games

The Shui Mo Da Nian Park

The Shui Mo Da Nian Park in Pukou District brings together the most enchanting natural landscape you can image: hills, waters, springs and woodlands. Just stroll along the scroll-like roads to explore the forest and leisure places in the picturesque park, and refresh yourself in the spring breeze! Here are what is ready for you!

  1. Bicycle Culture Experience Museum: An indoor venue where you can experience bicycle culture, enjoy fun activities and do leisure sports. The building is designed in Chinese style, with black and white elements highlighting the artistic conception of Chinese ink paintings.
  2. Cross-country Bicycle Lane: A place for any visitor to look for the adventure of cycling over hills and riding past farmlands and streams while enjoying the spectacular sports fun.
  3. Luehdorfia Natural History Museum: It has a collection of exhibits related to the mysterious luehdorfia at home and abroad, including pictures, documents, TV films, research findings, as well as more than 400 specimens of luehdorfia. An interactive tour experience can give you so much fun while providing you with knowledge about the preservation and living environment of this rare species.
  4. Climbing Gym: It is the largest climbing gym in East China and one of the few rock climbing facilities with international standard in China. It challenges players at every skill level. Travelers of all ages are welcome to embrace the thrill of rock climbing here. The complete facilities will surely prepare you well. It includes a bouldering zone, warm-up area, the central square and rest area. Oh, don't miss the fun of kart racing and bumper car too!

(Pic. 1: The Shui Mo Da Nian Park)

  • Address: Chahu Road, Pukou District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: Free admission for entrance (charged for admission to amusement facilities)
  • Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00 from Monday to Sunday
  • Transportation:
    • Self-drive routes:
      1. North Bridge Road → Middle Puzhu Road → Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area → (two kilometers ahead) → Chahu Road → The Shui Mo Da Nian Park
      2. Yangtze River Tunnel→Yanjiang Avenue→Laoshan National Forest Park→Chahu Road→The Shui Mo Da Nian Park
    • Bus routes:
      1. Hongyang Square → Walk to Southern Tianhua South Road Station → Take Bus No. 602 to Zhuying Station → Take Bus No. 401→Get off at Lijiaying Station.
      2. Jiangpu Bus Station→ Take Bus No. 401→Get off at Lijiaying Station.
  • Tel: 025-58656666

Foshou Lake Park

Foshou Lake Park is located in the southern part of Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of vast expanse of water, green mountains and temples afar. Inspired by the “Buddha's hand” and “Bodhi leaf” in its design, the park offers every visitor a unique experience of spiritual tour. Slow down your pace to watch a small outdoor performance by the murmuring stream, or look far into the distance to appreciate the rosy clouds and hills arose in folds.

(Pic. 2: Foshou Lake Park)

Want to discover family fun? Head out on a jungle adventure with your kids. Both adults and little ones can have so much fun in jungle tours, shooting arrows, and a real CS game.

  1. Jungle Adventure Park: To experience adventure, sports, entertainment and take the challenge.
  2. Kids Zone: An exciting wonderland for children-- jungle magic web, spider web, yellow line maze and koala climbing for younger kids; and archery, trampoline for bigger ones.
  3. Adventure Zone: Just run through the blue or red lines with excitement!
  4. Real CS Zone: Try CS lasing and firing water bomb and feel the thrill of the game!
  • Address: Yanshan Avenue, Pukou District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: Free admission for entrance (charged for admission to amusement facilities)
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours a day (the scenic spot); 9:30 to 17:30 from Monday to Sunday (Adventure Park)
  • Transportation: Get off at Southeast University Chengxian College Station of Metro Line 3 and transfer to Bus No. 605 and get off at Foshou Lake Park East Station

Jinniu Lake Scenic Area

Jinniu Lake is the largest artificial lake in Nanjing. It is also a national 4A-level tourist attraction, a national water conservancy scenic area and a provincial forest park. Apart from its renowned natural scenery, Jinniu Lake also has a profound cultural heritage. The classic folk song “Jasmine Flower” of Jiangsu Province originated at the foot of Jinniu Mountain. According to legend, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, once grazed his cattle here when he was a boy.

(Pic. 3: Jinniu Lake)

  • Address: Jinniu Lake Street, Liuhe District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: 40 yuan for one adult; 80 yuan for two adults and one child; 50 yuan for one adult and one child
  • Opening Hours: 7:30-18:00 in summer (no admission at 17:30); 8:00-17:00 in winter (no admission at 17:00)
  • Transportation: Take Metro Line S8 and get off at Jinniu Lake Station
  • Tel: 025-57552888
  • Surrounding attractions:
    Jinniu Lake Wildlife Kingdom is home to more than 300 animal species and 10, 000 rare wild animals from all over the world. With a total area of 1,608 mu, the safari park can not only bring you closer to the wildlife here, but also offer you an unforgettable panoramic view of vast water from the glass skywalk. You will feel your breath completely taken away on the skywalk while feeling so relaxed when greeted by rows of trees in the distance.

 

(Pic. 4: Jinniu Lake Wildlife Kingdom)

  • Address: Northwest corner of the intersection of Provincial Highway No. 247 and Xinzhuang Road, Liuhe District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: 160 yuan for one adult; 70 yuan/person for seniors or children.
  • Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 from Monday to Friday (no admission at 15:30); 9:00-17:00 on weekends (no admission at 16:00)
  • Transportation: Take Bus No. 106 and get off at Jinniu Lake Wildlife Kingdom Station
  • Tel: 025-57567888

Huanglonghxian Tea Culture Village

Tucked inside the greenery of mountains and waters, the Huanglonghxian Tea Culture Village is a mecca for travelers who are looking for idyllic scenery and distinctive rural cuisine. If you happen to be a tea lover, you cannot find a better place than Huanglonghxian. Teahouses, inns, restaurants and stores selling local specialties run by tea farmers can be found line up on the Tea Culture Pedestrian Street. Try delicacies made right from fresh local ingredients and take a sip of tea, or simply wander through tea gardens and bamboo forests. Isn't it a wonderful place for you to stay away from the hustle and bustle of cities and get a glimpse into the rural life?

(Pic. 5: Huanglongxian Village)

  • Address: No.1 Longfang Road, Paifang Community, Jiangning Street, Jiangning District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: Free
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours a day; staff working hours: 9:00-16:50; tour bus available
  • Transportation: Take Bus No. Y1 at Andesmen Station and get off at Huanglonghyan Station to walk another 1.5 km.
  • Tel: 025-81030820

Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area

Reputed as “the First Scenic Spot in Jiangbei”, the Pearl Spring must not be left out of your travel bucket list. Explore the source of the spring water on a sunny day, feast your eyes on the picturesque scenery, and enjoy the music of tinkling water and singing birds. Imagine the green mountains, clear water, magical springs and well-shaped rocks jump into your eyes one after another. Climb along the forest paths, and you never know what is going to surprise you.

(Pic. 6: Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area)

Fun things to do:

  • The Pearl Springs Wildlife Park: It is an open theme park with a beast culture. It occupies an area of 600 mu and provides shelters for 100 tigers, 50 lions, 60 black bears, as well as monkeys, birds, snakes, crocodiles and other wildlife. Home to tens of thousands of animals of more than ten species, it is known as the largest wildlife park in East China.
  • Slipway: Just be ready to scream out when you swoop down through the bend and dark caves. All the pressure will be released.
  • Roller coaster: Arguably the best activity to lift your spirits in springtime! Hold your breath when spinning around 360° and plunging down. You may feel afraid for a moment, but in the next moment, you ask for another ride. That is exactly the magic of roller coaster.
  • Sightseeing cable car: Begin or end your journey with a comfortable, spectacular cable car ride.
    • Address: No.182, Pearl Street, Pukou District, Nanjing
    • Tickets: 40 yuan/person for admission to the scenic area; 70 yuan/person for admission to the scenic area and the zoo.
    • Opening hours: 8:45-21:00 from Monday to Sunday (no admission at 16:30)
    • Transportation:
      • Subway routes:
        1. Take Metro Line 3 (bound for Linchang) and get off at East Liuzhou Road Station (Exit 2) → Take Bus No. 694 and get off at Pearl Spring West Gate Station
        2. Take Metro Line 4 (bound for Longjiang) and get off at Longjiang Station (Exit 3) → Take Bus No. 560 and get off at Nanjing Institute of Railway Technology Station→ Take Bus No. D58 and get off at Pearl Spring West Gate Station
        3. Take Metro Line 4 (bound for Longjiang) and get off at Longjiang Station (Exit 3) → Take Bus No. D4 to Mingfa City Plaza South Station →Take Bus No. D58 and get off at Pearl Spring West Gate Station
      • Bus routes: Take Bus No. 604/ No. 694 and get off at Pearl Spring West Gate Station
    • Tel: 025-58601545

Xianlin Lake Park

Xianlin Lake Park is second only to the Xuanwu Lake in planned area, covering a total area of 450,000 square meters, with the size of lake the equivalent of 65 football fields. Xianlin Lake is also the second largest lake in Xianlin University Town, only smaller than the Yangshan Lake in the region. Take some time to walk along the 2.7 km long lake and enjoy relaxing moments with your family and friends. The park has everything for everyone, flying kites, having a picnic, fishing by the water...more fun activities await!

(Pic. 7: Xianlin Lake Park)

  • Address: Xigang Street, Qixia District, Nanjing
  • Tickets: Free
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours a day
  • Transportation:
    • Bus: No. 325/ No. 328
    • Subway routes: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Jingtian Road Station; Take Metro Line 4 and get off at Xianlin Lake Station

Zhongshan Sports Park

Zhongshan Sports Park, once the “Central Stadium” during the Republic of China era, is situated at the foot of Zijin Mountain, just next to Nanjing Sport Institute and Linggu Temple. The undulating hills, elegant trees, lawns and waterscape have made the park a natural oxygen bar and an ideal playing field for camping, sunbathing, kite flying and football games.

(Pic. 8: Aerial view of Zhongshan Sports Park)

Address: Zhongshan Cemetery Scenic Area, No. 7 Shixiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing

Opening Hours: 24 hours a day

Tickets: Free

Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhongling Street Station (Exit 1); Transfer to Bus No. 315/ No. 20/ No. 203 and get off at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum